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Monday, December 26, 2011

Erynn Mangum is my favorite author, and I love every one of her books. I will probably do reviews on them at a later date. All of her books make me literally laugh out loud while I’m reading, which usually results in some weird looks from whoever is around me at the time. However, I love books that make me laugh. I think it takes a really good author to make you laugh at something the characters say. All of Erynn’s characters are very relatable as well. I feel like I am in the story as I read it.

The Christmas Watch is a story about two friends who fall in love. It just takes Lindsey a while to realize that the person she really loves may have been right in front of her all along. This is a novella, so it was short and I read it in an hour. It is a Christian fiction, very fun, light read to get you in the Christmas spirit.

This is Erynn’s newest book, and is only available on the kindle. However, you don’t have to have a kindle to read it! You can download the free kindle apps for your phone or your computer which I really recommend doing. This book is worth it!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

This book is a collection of letters a little boy named Leigh sends to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw. We see how Leigh struggles with his parents’ divorce, and how hard it is on him. With the growing divorce rate, I’m sure there are several kids who could relate to this book. However, I would definitely be careful with how you approach the topic.

Leigh wants to be a writer, and Mr. Henshaw encourages him to start a journal. Leigh goes on to win Honorable Mention in a contest, and the prize is to meet a famous author. This author encourages Leigh to keep writing, telling him she loved his story. This is a very emotional book about a look into the life of an average child.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

This is a children’s fiction story that is about a woman from the east coming to live with a widower and his two children. Sarah loves the kids, and treats them like the mother they don’t have. The children adore her as well, and can’t imagine life without her. There is a sweet innocent love story between Sarah and Jacob also. There are just little clues that tell you they are falling in love.

I love this story, and have since I read it back in elementary school. It is a simple, classic story that will be around for years to come. If you have not read this book, you are missing out. It’s a quick fun read that everyone needs to read at some point in his or her life.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Monica tells the only man that she has ever loved that they have an 11 year old daughter. Daniel had left Monica heartbroken. He had truly hurt her, wanting fame more than love. In the following years, she found faith in the Lord and turned her life around. When he came to town, she knew she had to tell him the truth about their daughter. She had kept this secret for too long. To her surprise, he was very interested in getting to know their daughter. During the time he is back home, he falls in love with Monica all over again. Will she risk getting her heart broken again by the man she has always loved?

This is a great story of redemption and second chances. It was originally written without the Christian take, but that was later added. I think it is a great addition, and it makes the story as good as it is. I really enjoyed reading this book.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Unveiled is the first book in the Lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers. Each book in this series tells the story of a different woman of the Bible. This book is the story of Tamar. In the Bible, Tamar’s story can be found in Genesis 38.

This series is historical fiction in the sense that not everything in the book is known to be true. It is based on Tamar’s life and how she felt during these times. It is a very believable portrayal of what she was probably thinking and feeling during the trials she faced. I kept having to remind myself that even though this book was well researched, we have no way of knowing what Tamar was thinking.

This book is absolutely amazing, as is everything else I’ve read by Francine Rivers. However, there are some things in the book that cause me to suggest no one under 16 or 17 read it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

I would definitely recommend this book.

*I read the rest of the series, and they are amazing! The book about Ruth (I think it's the 3rd) was by far my favorite, but they are all SO, SO, SO good! Everyone should read this series!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

This is a fun book about a 16-year-old girl who is extremely talented at art. She ends up drawing a criminal just by his description, which puts her in danger. She is surrounded by police officers at all times, and her life suddenly changes from average and boring, to exciting and scary. It’s a really cute story.

Erynn Mangum is one of my favorite authors. I love all her work, and you should read them all!! I was a little shocked though, when I found more of a mystery in this book instead of her usual romance stories. It was nice to see her do something a little different, but I am always going to choose a love story over a mystery. Regardless, it was a great book that I enjoyed reading.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

This is a story about a 4th grade girl, Oy, from Thailand. She wants to be in the group of popular girls so badly that she brings her special dress from Thailand for them to try on after they tell her that is the only way she can be in the club. The girls end up tearing it, and then get in trouble with the principal for changing clothes on the playground.

Oy learns a lot about her culture and her parents. She expected them to be mad and not understand the hard times she was having at school. Instead, she realized her mother knows how hard it is to fit in as well.

There’s a cute little twist in the book at the end. Frankie had been bullying her throughout the book, calling her Chinese. In the end, he apologizes and tells her he is in fact a quarter Chinese. Oy has finally found her friend.

This is a cute book with several great lessons in it. However, there was some stuff about Buddah and their religion, so just be careful with that.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

This is a very short children’s book about a classroom pet gone missing. It’s a cute story about how the class comes together to find the missing hamster. They made posters to inform everyone to look for him, and left peanut butter cookies for the hamster so he didn’t go hungry while they tried to find him. This story would be great for Kindergarten-2nd or 3rd grade. I probably wouldn’t suggest reading it to much older kids though.

Monday, August 22, 2011

This is a children’s fiction book, sequel to Love That Dog. Both of these books are so unique in the way that they are written. It’s about a boy named Jack writing poems to his teacher, Miss Stretchberry. In this book, he is learning more about poems, such as alliteration and consonance, etc. Throughout the story, he realizes cats really aren’t that bad, just like in the last book he realized poems weren’t all that bad. Jack’s mother is deaf, and in his poems, we see him come to terms with that and ask questions about it.

This is a great book that can show kids poetry is not all bad. Poetry can actually be enjoyable and does not always have to rhyme. This book would be great for kids starting in 2nd or 3rd grade, all the way up to like 8th grade. I don’t know what else to say about these books except that they are great and you should go buy them now if you haven’t read them. Like, right now.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

This is a children’s fiction book that is about the adventures in Clementine’s week as a third grade girl. Clementine looks at life differently than other people, and is always misunderstood because of it. She gets in trouble for trying to help her friend Margaret get the glue out of her hair, and for helping the principal by answering the phone in his office. Throughout Margaret’s many escapades, we see her personality and that she truly does mean well.

There are almost too many adventures that occur in the book since the book only takes place in the course of a week. However, it keeps the book moving at a fast pace and we get to see more of how Clementine handles things.

Very cute book for children that a broad range of ages can enjoy. Much like Judy Moody or Ramona, it is sure to be a favorite book among young children. Even as an adult, I laughed out loud at the book once of twice. The pictures are phenomenal as well in this book. There are more books in the series that I would be interested to read as well. All in all, this is a great read!

Saturday, August 6, 2011

This is a Christian historical fiction book that takes place in Idaho in 1916. Katie Jones is dedicated to fighting to women’s rights. Upon returning home to Idaho, she falls in love with Ben, her best friend from childhood. She fights her feelings for him, believing that she is not able to both fight for women’s rights and be married. However, he wants nothing more than for her to marry him and start a family together. After they are married, she still refuses to completely give in to her feelings for him, even though he is willing to make their marriage be an equal partnership. This causes some friction in their relationship causing them both to be miserable for a while. In the end, they both realize they love each other and need to compromise.

The story switches back and forth for being told in different characters’ points of view. This would have been great if it was just Katie and Ben’s perspectives that we received, but at times it was told from Ben’s sister’s perspective. It was this way with numerous different characters, which made the story hard to follow at times.

Along with this, Ben and Katie’s disagreement seemed to drag on and on. It was definitely an important disagreement, but I felt like the author could have not dragged it out as long. I understand it was for suspense, but I almost got bored with the waiting for something to happen.

However, this book was a great love story that I enjoyed reading. It was a good story about trusting that God has the perfect plan for you. What you think is His plan for you, may not be, so you have to keep seeking His guidance in everything. Great reminder!

There's not much I love more than reading. Christian fiction or Children's Literature are my favorite genres, but I try not to limit myself to those. I started this blog as a way to remember all that I have read, along with a way to share amazing books with others! I can't wait to get started!